Ice cube dispenser



June 24, 1947.

D. I. BOHN ICE CUBE DISPENSER Filed Nov. 11, 1944 III I [llIII/IllVIIIII/IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I ll Ill/ll II I B am/471522Patented June 24, 1947 umreo STATES PATENT OFFICE ICE CUBE DISPENSERDonald 1. Bolin, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application November 11, 1944, Serial No. 562,925

My present invention relates to refrigerators and more particularly toautomatic means for producing and dispensing ice cubes therefrom.

In mechanical refrigerators now in commercial and home use, themeansprovided for the production of ice cubes in almost all casescomprises a tray adjacent to the freezing chamber or compressor. Wateris placed in the tray which may be divided into cells by suitabledevices and the tray is placed in the compartment ,adjacent thecompressor.- When the tray is left in the freezing compartment for asufllcient period of long time, the water freezes solid in the variouscells within the tray. Then, in order to obtain ice cubes, the tray mustbe removed from the refrigerator and the ice cubes removed from thecells in the tray. This, as is commonly known, frequently involves adiflicult task in first removing the tray itself from its compartment,and then in removing the ice cubes.

During the process of obtaining ice cubes from the tray, the cubes arefrequently individually handled and subject to contamination. Also, ascommonly occurs, water must be flowed over the tray and ice cubes inorder to release the cubes from the cell walls. This results in a lossin volume of the lcexcubes and consequent waste. l.

Many devices have been used in order to facilitate the release of thetray from its compartment and release of the ice cubes from the cellswithin the tray. If frequently happens however that the elements ofthese various facilitating means freeze solid at their joints and mustbe melted by hot water or considerable manipulation; this also leads toloss .in volume or contamination of the ice cubes.

Some few attempts have been made to provide means for freezing andejecting ice cubes without requiring any manipulation of the same, butthese means have been complex and difficult in operation, and virtuallyimpossible to operate or handle by the ordinary unskilled home user.Consequently, they have not gone into commercial use.

My present invention contemplates an automatic means for freezing anddispensing ice cubes up to any desired number or predetermined maximum,wherein the unskilled home user or operator need merely operate a dialor indicator to predetermine the number of ice cubes to be delivered atany particular time. Thus, in actual operation where the unskilled homeuser desires ice cubes, he need merely turn a 19 Claims. (Cl. 62-2)thereafter three separate ice cubes will be delivered to a container orholder secured or manually held adjacent an opening in'the refrigeratorwall.

In carrying out my invention, I utilize a combination of hydraulic andelectrical operating means which are simple in constructionand readilyadaptable for use in ordinary household refrigerators as well as incommercial-refrigerators. Nor need my invention necessarily be combinedwith household or commercial refrigerators; it may comprise a separateice cube freezing and dispensing unit by itself.

Essentially, my invention comprises a vertical tube to the bottom ofwhich water under ordinary or household pressure may be admitted whenrequired. The upper portion of the tube is surrounded by a freezing coilwhich freezes the water. When the dial is set to dispense ice cubes, avalve is automatically opened which connects the main or householdsupply under pressure to the bottom of the tube, thus admitting waterunder pressure to the bottom of the tube and creating upward pressure onthe bottom of the ice column. At the same time, the upper wall of thetube adjacent the ice column is heated in order to loosen the ice columnand to permit the hydraulic pressure at the bottom of the tube to forcethe ice column up. Also at the same time a cutting wire is heated andactuated to cut of! sections of the ice column as they emerge from thetop of the tube and to push these out of! sections out through adispenslng chute.

When the dial is set for a specific number of ice cubes, thenimmediately on the setting of the dial, the unit will continue tooperate and repeat itself until the set number of ice cubes isdelivered, at which time it will automatically cut itself off. I

Accordingly, a primary object of my invention is the provision of asimplified and automatic ice cube making and dispensing unit.

Another object of my invention is the provision and arrangement ofsimplified ice cube making and dispensing units so that the same may beincorporated in and made a part of an ordinary mechanical refrigerator.

Another object of my invention is the provision of an ice cube makingand dispensing unit which requires no care or manipulation on the partof the user, except when he desires to obtain ice cubes, at which timeit willonly be necessary to turn a dial to obtain the desired dial to,say, the number 3, and immediately 68 number of cubes.

3 Another and corollary object of my invention is the provision of meansfor making and dispensing ice cubes which obviates the necessity forhandling water trays or manually dealing with other sources of watersupply and which obviates the need for handling the cubes in order toremove them from the unit which makes the same.

These and many other objects of my invention will become apparent in thefollowing description and drawings in which the figures showsschematically the construction, operation and function of the variousunits and electrical circuits of my invention.

Referring now to the figure, my invention comprises a substantiallyvertical metallic column or tube 10, the said tube being secured in anysuitable manner in the socket I I of the base block [2 which is mountedon the base l3 of the housing of the mechanism. Stainless steel ispreferred for the tube l because of its mechanical strength, providingfreedom from denting, its corrosion resistance and its relatively highelectrical resistance (for purposes hereinafter pointed out). Othermetals such as Nichrome, bronze alloys and other alloys and compositionsmay also be used.

The metal base block I2 is provided with connecting passages i5 and I6forming a connection between the base of the tube Ill and the pipe [8.Pipe [8 is connected in any suitable manner to the passage 16, as, forinstance, by being screwed into the tapped end I1 of the passage l6. Thepipe i8 is connected by the solenoid operated valve to the water supplypipe 2|, which in turn is connected to a suitable source of water underpressure, ordinarily the ordinary household supply source. In mostcases, pipe 2| may be connected to the cold water supply pipe in thekitchen.

The vertical stainless steel column or tube III is surrounded over itsentire upper extent by the insulated housing 23 which extends from thetop level 24 of tube in down to within 6 or 8 inches of the socket I iin block l2 in which the tube In rests. Depending upon the size of therefrigerator in which my ice cube apparatus is to be incorporated or thesize which the housing of the ice cube manufacturing unit is to fit, the

tube in may be from 2 to 5 feet long. When a single unit is to providehundreds of ice cubes, the tube may be made in spiral form with nochange in its curvature from some point below the freezing chamber up towhere ice cube election occurs.

A refrigerating coil 26 is provided in the space supplied by theinsulated housing 23 in order to freeze the water in that part of thetube in which the said refrigerating coil and housing surrounds.

The refrigerating coil may be connected to any suitable source ofrefrigerant, any suitable compressor and other mechanical equipment forcooling the refrigerant by means of the pipes 28 and 29 which areconnected to the coil 26 at opposite ends thereof.

Assuming for the time being that the unit has already been placed inoperation with water filling the tube it) up to the top level 24, thenas the cooling operation proceeds, owing to the passage of refrigerantthrough the cooling coil 26, the water in the tube III freezes above thelevel 30 and up to the level 24. The water between level 30 of the tubeand the socket H in which the tube rests remains in the liquid state. Inextreme cases where no ice cubes have been extracted from the tube I 0for a long period of time, the water in the tube may freeze down belowthe level 30 by reason of conduction along the sides of the tube Ill andpossibly some slight convection through the water; but for obviousreasons which are well known will not under any circumstances freezesolidly down to the very bottom of the tube l0.

In ordinary circumstances, however, where ice cubes are extracted fromthe mechanism at least daily or even less frequently, but at relativelyclosely spaced intervals, the water in the tube will rarely, if ever,freeze below the level III, and in most cases where ice cubes arefrequently withdrawn from the unit, the water level in the tube or theice level will often be above the level 30.

In order to place the device initially in operation, the cam 25 isrotated in a manner hereinafter pointed out so that the ledge 36 thereofrides on the roller 21 to press down the contact arm 2' and bridgingcontact 380 to bridge the contacts 3!, 28 against the action of acompression spring (not shown). For this purpose, a handle (not shown)attached to the cam 35 may be rotated until the numeral 1" on theratchet 40 attached to the cam ll is visible in the window 4|. This willclou an operating circuit to the solenoid operated valve 20 in order toopen the said valve and to open the connections from the pipe 2| to thebottom ofthe tube ID.

The circuit to valve 22 will be made from the source of current 0 alongthe conductor ii to the contacts ll, 22 which are bridged by the contactarm 38, then along the conductor 82 to the solenoid operated valve 20,then along conductor 63 to conductor 60 through the lower contacts 82-of the microswitch II to the conductor 54, then to conductor II and backto the source 50.

Water under household from pipe 2| through the conduits I8 and ll thetube III and will upper level 24. The

pressure will then flow valve 20 through the and into the lower end offill up the tube l0 up to the operator, when placing the apparatusinitially in operation will watch the outlet of the chute 60 andcontainer I. As soon as the water rising in the tube ll overflows at thelevel 24 and flows down the chute so into the container DI, the operatorshould then rotate the cam 25 so that the numeral 0 will appear in thewindow 4|, thus moving the cam 25 from the portion where the ledge 28bears against the roller 21 to the portion where the recessed surface 63bears against the roller 21 so that the spring operated bridging contact22 may raise the same. This will open the circuit to the solenoidoperated valve 20 to close valve 20 and thus shut oi! the water supplyto the tube Hi. The water level in tube III will then initially bemaintained at the upper level 24.

The introduction of the circulating refrigerant into the coil 26 throughpipes 28 and 28 will now chill the water in the tube 10 to form ice fromthe upper level 24 substantially down to the level 30. After the columnof water in the tube III has been frozen in the manner above describedand should it now be desired to obtain ice cubes, the operator will turnthe handle (not shown) of the cam 28 until the indicia in the window 4|will show the number of ice cubes desired.

A roller ll rotatably mounted on the lever 22 which is pivoted on thepin 21 is spring loaded by compression spring 02 to bear on the outersurface of the ratchet II which is attached to the cam 35 and maintainsits predetermined position. Should, for instance, three ice cubes bedesired, the operator need merely turn the cam 35 until the numeral 3"appears in the window 8|. When any number other than zero appears in thewindow 8|, the surface 38 of the cam 35 will depress the roller 31 ofthe bridging contact 38 to bridge the contact 38, 38. e v

This, as previously described, will close the circuit for the solenoidoperated valve 28 thereby opening the valve and admitting water underhousehold pressure from the pipe 2| to the bottom of the tube I8, thusexerting an upward and outward pressure on the column of ice abovethelevel 38.

At the same time, and when the contacts 38, 38 are bridged by thebridging contact 38, the transformer I8 is energized from conductors 'IIand I2 connected respectively to conductors 52 and 53. The transformerI8 is a low voltage transformer with a through type secondary I8.Secondary I8 is brazed to the top of the tube I8 at I5 and to the lowerpart of the tube I8 at I8 just below the refrigerated section. Thematerial of the tube I8 is employed as the resistance element in thesecondary circuit of the transformer I8.

The transformer I8 is so designed that when energized from a 110 volt 60cycle supply, about 600 amperes will flow in the heavy current circuitof the secondary which includes the tube I8 at" a voltage of about 1volt, thus producing about 600 watts of heat in the-refrigerativeportion of tube I8. In this case, as soon as the transformer and thesolenoid are energized by the bridging of the contacts 38, then within afew seconds, the heat generated in tube I8 will free the ice columnabove the level 88 and permit the household water pressure which ispushing up below the frozen column to move the column vertically at arate of speed determined by the water pressure and the adjustment of thevalve 28.

A manual adjustment may be provided for valve 28, as indicated by theadjusting screw 28a, to permit satisfactory rate of feed under pressurevariations which might occur in different localities. Adjusting screw28a may adjust the pressure of the resetting spring of the valve to varythe opening obtained by the valve, or it may adjust a stop,predetermining maximum travel of the valve.

When the column of ice is raised up a distance determined by theposition of the limit arm 88, this arm will be moved vertically a smalldistance operating the micro-switch 55 so that the bridging contact 8|thereof will move away from the contact 82 and 83 which were connectedrespectively to conductors 58 and 55. This will open the solenoidoperated valve circuit 28 and the transformer circuit, thustie-energizing the solenoid of valve 28 and the transformer I8, cuttingoff the water supply which produces the pressure to lift the ice columnand cutting oil the heat which frees the ice column.

The limit arm 88 may be a piece of spring metal mounted at 85 andsupported by th pin 85, The essential function of the limit arm 88therefore is that when it is struck by the upwardly moving column ofice, it will stop the column of ice from rising by closing the valvewhich forces the column of ice up.

At the same time, when the limit arm 88 is thusraised to open thecircuits of the transformer I8 and the solenoid operated valve 28, it israised to close a circuit to the small low voltage transflcirmer 88 andthe split series universal motor The circuit to motor I88 and transforme88 is closed by reason of the fact that when the limit arm 88 is raised,the bridging contact 8| of the micro-switch 55 bridges the contacts 8|and 82. when the upper contacts 8|, 82 of the microswitch 55 are bridgedby the bridging contact 8|, the low voltagetransformer 88 is energizedover the following-circuit; from the source of current 58 over theconductor 5| to the contacts 38, 38 (which have been bridged by thebridging contact 38 operated by the cam to the conductor 88, then toconductor 85, through the micro-switch 88, the conductor 81, the primary88-88 of the low voltage transformer 88, the conductor IN, the conductorI82, then contacts 828I-8I of the micro-switch 55, the tszgnductor 58,-and. backto the source of current The split series universal motor I88is energized from the source of current 58 over conductor 5| through thebridge contacts 38, 38 which has been bridged by the bridging contact 38over conductor 88, over conductor I83 and through the coil I88 or I85 ofthe motor I88; then over conductors I88 or I81 to the limit switch I88which has the contacts I88 and III; then over conductor III to conductorI82, then over the contacts 828|8I of the micro-switch 55, then overconductor 58 back to the source 58.

The secondary of the low voltage transformer 88 consists of a copper rodI28 which has fastened to it at its two ends,;two copper side pieces I2Itheir assembly together with the copper secondary I28 forms a U-shapedsecondary circuit.

This assembly is mechanically carried on bearings (not shown)surrounding extended portions of secondary conductor I28. The lower endof these copper side pieces |2I represents the secondary transformerterminals, the circuit being completed by a piece of resistor wire I23which is caught under screws I28 on the end of the side pieces IZI. Thetransformer 88 is so designed that when it is energized from a 110 volt60 cycle line, a current on the order of amperes at 1 volt will flowthrough the resistor wire I23.

As previously mentioned, both the low voltage transformer 88 and thesplit series universal motor I88 are simultaneously energized when the 7column of ice rises to the predetermined position. The toggle limitswitch I88 is, in the position shown in the figure at the initiation ofthe operation, arranged so that it will energize the coil I88 of themotor I88 to rotate the threaded shaft I38 to drive trunnioned nut |3|toward the right. The trunnions of nut II are mounted in holes on theinside surfaces of the side pieces I2I, and are insulated in anysuitable manner as, for instance, by insulating caps over the ends ofthe trunnions. Consequently, any motion of trunnioned nut |3| toward theright or toward the left will be communicated to the side pieces III andcause them to rotate with the pivotally mounted conductor I28.

Thus, when the trunnioned nut BI is moved to the right, the entireswinging assembly consti- 33 mounted across the side pieces I2I to pushthis free ice block to the right into the chute 50 of the refrigeratorand down through the opening thereof into the basket or receptacle GI.

When the extreme right hand travel of the secondary circuitoftransformer 90 has accomplished the above movement, it will be obviousthat the upper arm I 40 attached to one of the side 7 pieces I2I will berotated toward the left. This end I40 is connected by the pin I4I to thearm I42 which has a slot I43 which engages end I45 of the limit switcharm I08. Consequently, on completion of the movement of the entiresecondary assembly of the transformer 90 to the right, the upper arm I40will have been moved to the left and the surface I44 of the arm I42 willbear against the portion I45 of the limit switch arm I08 to cause thesame to rotate about its pivot I45 and break the contact between theswitch I 08 and contact I09 and make the contact between the switch I08and contact IIO.

This will de-energize coil' I04 of motor I which drives the trunnionednut I3I toward the right and will energize the reverse coil I which willdrive the trunnioned nut I3I toward the left. The limit switch I08 ismaintained in appropriate contacting position by the over-center snapspring I50. The reverse movement of the trunnioned nut I3I, owing to thereversal of the universal split series motor I 00, will therefore returnthe swinging secondary unit of the transformer 90 to the originalposition shown in this figure.

It will be observed that the initiation of the cutoff equipment wascaused by the rising column of ice actuating the micro-switch 55 byraising the limit bar'80. As soon as the secondary moving assembly IIIand associated units has progressed a short way toward the right, thepin I52 fastened between the arms I2I rides on the bottom edge of thelimit bar 80 maintaining the upward position of the limit bar 80 and itsassociated micro-switch 55 even after the ice block which contacted thelever 80 has been elected. This condition is maintained until the abovede-- scribed reversing function has taken place, and the moving assemblycarried by the bars I2I has returned to its initial neutral position.

The manual operating mechanism or pre-set, which may be set for anynumber of ice cubes up to a predetermined maximum, has already beendescribed. This comprises a cam 35 and an appropriate operating handletherefor, the ratchet 40 which is attached to and rotates with the cam35, and the spring loaded roller 65 which maintains the ratchet inselected position. The knob (not shown) which operates the cam 35 may berotated in either direction so that the indicia on the ratchet 40 willpass through the window 4I. As the cam 35 and associated ratchet arerotated so that indicia other than zero appear through the window M, theroller 31 is depressed by the surface 36 of the cam, bridging thecontacts 39, 39 by the bridging contact 38 as previously described.Whatever number appears in the window H, or is caused to appear in thewindow 4 I will predetermine the number of ice cubes which willsuccessively be delivered without further attention through the chute 60and into the basket or receptacle 6|. The ratchet 40 has one tooth foreach number of ice cubesdesired.

The ratchet 40 is engaged by the pawl I50 during the operation of thedevice. The pawl I50 is supported by the stationary pin IGI acting onthe chamfered surface I52 of the pawl I so that pawl I50 will not dropinto engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 40 until the pawl is movedtoward the right. Pawl I 60 is pivotally mounted at I69 on one of thearms I2I which are supported from the copper conductor I20.Consequently, pawl I50 will be moved to the right once during eachmovement of the arms HI and the associated secondary assembly of thetransformer 80 toward the right.

In order to illustrate the continuous operation of the device toautomatically eject the desired number of ice cubes, let it be assumedthat everything is in neutral positio and the contacts 20, 39 are notconnected by the bridging contact 00. The micro-switch I10 having thecontacts HI, "I, which are bridged by the bridging contact I12, is inparallel with the micro-switch 30 which has the contacts 39, 39 bridgedby the bridging contact 38a. The contacts of micro-switch I10 arenormally closed at any. time when the mechanism is in operation, butthese contacts are normally open when the elements are in the neutralposition shown in the figure.

Assuming, now that, for instance, three ice cubes are desired, theadjusting knob which rotates the cam 35 is manually turned in eitherdirection until the number "3" appears in the window 4I. This manualoperation causes the cam 36 to close the micro-switch 30a energizing thetransformer 10 and the solenoid operated valve 20 simultaneously. Aspreviously descril ed, the frozen ice column rises until limit bar 00 ismoved upward starting the cut-off cycle, as previously described.

This cycle of operation was previously described in all its details,except for its relation to the manually operated automatic pre-setcontroller. As the cut-off assembly swings to the right, pawl I00 movesdown and to the right, engaging the ratchet wheel 40 and moving it onetooth. Successive operations of this entire cycle will each cause theratchet wheel 40 to move clockwise one tooth per operation.

If, as assumed, the device has been set for three ice cubes, ratchetwheel 40 would have moved clockwise three teeth, and the instant thatthis would occur, the cut-oil assembly would be in its right hand(non-neutral) position. Simultaneously with this, the surface 03 of thecam 35 will have moved opposite the roller 21, thus opening themicro-switch 38a. If nothing were done to maintain this master circuitat this time, the cycle of operation would not be completed, and theoperators would remain stationary at the point where the cutting wireI23 has moved completely to the right. This, however, is taken care ofby the micro-switch I10 whose main function is to maintain power on thecut-off assembly from the time when the last desired ice cube has beenejected until the cut-01f assembly has returned to its neutral position.An additional function of micro-switch I10 is to ensure the return ofthe cut-off assembly to its neutral position even if the operator shouldrotate cam 40 until "0 is in window 4I prior to the completion of acut-off cycle. Micro-switch I10 parallels micro-switch 50a and will beclosed and maintain the circuit initially closed by micro-switch 380 atany time other than that at which the elements are in the neutralposition. Only in the neutral position will the micro-switch I10 beopened, thereby terminating the operation or the entire apparatus.

It will be obvious from an examination of the figure that micro-switchI12 is in parallel with micro-switch Ila: Conductor It. connectsconductor ll with one terminal of the micro-switch I10, the saidconductor 04 being connected to one terminal of the micro-switch II, andconductor III connects to the other terminal of micro-switch I10 with aconductor 5| which is connected to the other terminal of micro-switch"a.

The split series universal motor III] is mounted on the bracket IBIIwhich is pivotally mounted at IOI on the bracket I22. The motor assemblyIll is maintained in appropriate position by the compression spring Iwhich biases the same upwardly.

I have found that if sufllcient current is passed through the wire I23to cut off the ice cube in a satisfactorily short time, wire I23 wouldbecome overheated-and possibly be destroyed if it were not in contactwith the ice cube.

Micro-switch 96 assures that the only time current passes through wireI23 is when wire I23 is pressing against the ice column.

Micro-switch 96 is mounted beneath the bracket I80 in such position thatthe rotation in a counterclockwise direction of the bracket I90 aboutits pivot. ISI against the pressure-of compression spring I93 will closethe circuit between conductors 95 and 91. The compression spring I83 isso adjusted as to resist rotation of the bracket I90 about the pivot ISIfor any normal force which may be expected to be exerted on the bracketI90. That is, the compression spring I93 bearing against the bracket I90normally biases the motor I00 upwardly and toward the right. The lowvoltage transformer 90 is thus not energized as long as the micro-switch98 is Op n.

When the wire contacts the ice columnyin the cutting direction, as themotor operates the trunnioned nut I3I toward the right, the backpressure on, the motor shaft I30 tends to rotate the motor I" and itsbracket I90 about the pivot IQI compressing the compression spring I93and hence closing the micro-switch 98', thus connecting the conductors'95 and 91, and thus energizing low voltage transformer 90. The currentin the secondary circuit assembly of the low voltage transformer 90 willnow heat up the wire I23 so that the cutting operation will beperformed. Consequently, the wire I23 will not be heated up untilsufficient back pressure on the motor bracket I80 about the pivot IOIdevelops owing to engagement of the wire against the ice' column. p

The apparatus of my invention is neither complex nor space consuming,and is readily adapted for incorporation into existing refrigerators,although it is primarily intended that it be incorporated in newlymanufactured refrigerators. It may also be embodied in separate unitswhich may readily be inserted in the refrigerator itself, or alongsidethe same, and requires only a single electrical plug, a singleconnection toa source of water under pressure and a connection to asource of refrigerant. Since these connections commonly exist in many.refrigerators, no additional outside connection may be necessary. Insuch refrigerators as do not utilize a water supply as part of thecooling system, the only- 10 tion should now be obvious to those skilledin the art, and many applications of my invention to various devicesshould now also be obvious.

Accordingly, I prefer to be bound not by thev specific disclosuresherein but only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An ice cube dispenser comprising means for freezing a column offluid; means for moving said frozen column in one direction; and acutoff member for cuttingoif sections of said column; said cut-offmember being periodically actuated into cutting action in. response tothe movement of said frozen column.

2. An ice cube dispenser comprising means for freezing a column offluid; means for moving said frozen column in one direction; and acutoff member for cutting of! sections of said column as it moves insaid one direction; and manually operated switch means for initiatingthe operation of said column moving means; and a connection between saidcut-off member and said manually operated switch means to 're-set saidswitch to neutral position on completion of the cutting operation; meansfor setting said switch means for a predetermined number of cubes; saidre-setting connection operating said switch means step by step toneutral as the predetermined number of cubes is cut.

3. An ice cube dispenser comprising means for freezing a column offluid; means for moving said frozen column in one direction; and acut-off member for cutting off sections of said column as it moves insaid one direction; said cut-off member being mounted for transversemovement with respect to said column and having a stroke in a cuttingdirection and a return stroke; said means for moving said column beinginoperative during substantially all of the movement of said cut-offmember and being placed in operative condition on completion of thereturn stroke of said cut-of! member; said cut-off member beingcontrolled by electrically operated means; a circuit making member forsaid cut-oil member in the path of movement of said frozen column, saidcircuit making member being moved by I said frozen column to circuitmaking position on movement of said column for a predetermined distance;said means for moving said frozen column being controlled byelectrically operated means: a circuit breaking member for saidcontrolling means in the path of movement of said frozen column, saidcircuit breaking member being moved by said frozen column to circuitbreaking position on movement of said column for a predetermineddistance.

4. An ice cube dispenser comprising means for freezing a column offluid; means for moving said frozen column in one direction; and acutoff member for cutting oil sections of said column as it moves insaid one direction; said cut-off member being mounted for transversemovement with respect to said column and having a stroke in a cuttingdirection and a return stroke; said meansfor moving said column beinginoperative during substantially all of the movement of said cut-offmember and being placed in operative condition on completion of thereturn stroke of said cut-off member; said cut-off member beingcontrolled by electrically-operated means; a circuit making member forsaid cut-off member in the path of movement of said frozen column, saidcircuit making member being moved by said frozen column to circuitmaking position on movement of said column for a predetermined distance;said means for moving said frozen column being controlled byelectrically operated means; a circuit breaking member for saidcontrolling means in the path of movement of said frozen column, saidcircuit breaking member being moved by said frozen column to circuitbreaking position on movement of said column for a predetermineddistance; said circuit making and circuit breaking members beingsimultaneously operated by said moving column.

5. An ice cube dispenser comprising means for freezing a column offluid; means for moving said frozen column in one direction; and acutoil' member for cutting off sections of said column as it moves insaid one direction; said cut-oi! member being mounted for transversemovement with respect to said column and having a stroke in a cuttingdirection and a return stroke; said means for moving said column beinginoperative during substantially all of the movement of said cut-offmember and being placed in operative condition on completion of thereturn stroke of said cut-off member; said cut-off member beingcontrolled by electrically-operated means; a circuit making memberforsaid cut-off member in the path of movement of said frozen column, saidcircuit making member being moved by said frozen column to circuitmaking position on movement of said column for a predetermined distance;said means for moving said frozen column being controlled byelectrically operated means; a circuit breaking member for saidcontrolling means in the, path of movement of said frozen column, saidcircuit breaking member being moved by said frozen column to circuitbreaking position on movement of said column for a predetermineddistance; said circuit making and circuit breaking members having acommon switch arm operated by said moving column.

6. vAn ice cube dispenser comprising means for freezing a column offluid; means for moving said frozencolumn in one direction; and acut-off member for cutting of! sections of said column as it moves insaid one direction; said cut-oil. member being mounted for transversemovement with respect to said column and having a stroke in a cuttingdirection and a return stroke; said means for moving said column beinginoperative during substantially all of the movementof said cut-offmember and being placed in operative condition on completion of thereturn stroke of said cut-off member; said cut-off member beingcontrolled by electrically operated means; a circuit making member forsaid cut-off member in the path of movement of said frozen column. saidcircuit making member being moved by said frozen column to circuitmaking position on movement of said column for a predetermined distance;said means for moving said frozen column being controlled byelectrically operated means; a circuit breaking member for saidcontrolling means in the path of movement of said frozen column, saidcircuit breaking member being moved by said frozen column to circuitbreaking position on movement of said column for a predetermineddistance; said circuit making and circuit breaking members having acommon switch arm operated by said moving column; and switch means forinitiating the operation of said column moving means.

7. An ice cube dispenser comprising means for freezing a column offluid; means for moving said frozen column in one direction; and acut-off member for cutting of! sections of said column as it moves insaid one direction; said cut-of! men;-

ber being mounted for transverse movement with respect to said columnand having a stroke in a cutting direction and a return stroke; saidmeans for moving said column being inoperative during substantially allof the movement of said cut-oi! member and being placed in operativecondition on completion of the return stroke of said cutoff member, saidmeans for moving said frozen column being controlled by electricallyoperated means; a circuit breaking member for said controlling means inthe path of movement of said frozen column to circuit breaking positionon movement of said column for a predetermined distance; and switchmeans for initiating the operation of said column moving means.

8. An ice cube dispenser comprising means for freezing a column offluid; means for moving said frozen column in one direction; and acutoff member for cutting of! sections of said column as it moves insaid one direction; said cut-off member being mounted for transversemovement with respect to said column and having a stroke in a cuttingdirection and a return stroke; said means for moving said column beinginoperative during substantially all of the movement of said cut-offmember and being placed in operative condition on completion of thereturn stroke of said cut-oi! member, said means for moving said frozencolumn being controlled by electrically operated means; a circuitbreaking member for said controlling means in the path of movement ofsaid frozen column; said circuit breaking member being moved by saidfrozen column to circuit breaking position on movement of said columnfor a predetermined distance: and manually operated switch means forinitiating the operation of said column moving means; and a connectionbetween said cut-oil member and said manually operated switch means tore-set said switch to neutral position on completion of the cuttingoperation.

9. An ice cube dispenser comprising means for freezing a column offluid; means for moving said frozen column in one direction; and acutoff member for cutting of! sections of said column as it moves insaid one direction; said cut-off member being mounted for transversemovement with respect to said column and having a stroke in a cuttingdirection and a return stroke; said means for moving said column beinginoperative during substantially all of the movement of said cut-offmember and being placed in operative condition on completion of thereturn stroke of said cut-oil member; said cut-off member beingcontrolled by electrically operated means; a circuit making member forsaid cut-oi! member in the path of movement of said frozen .column, saidcircuit making member being moved by said frozen column to circuitmaking position on movement of said column for a predetermined distance;said means for moving said frozen column being controlled byelectrically operated means; a circuit breaking member for saidcontrolling mcans in the path of movement of said frozen column, saidcircuit breaking member being moved by said frozen column to circuitbreaking position on movement of said column for a predetermineddistance; and manually operated switch means for initiating theoperation of said column moving means; and a connection between saidcut-off member and said manually operated switch means to re-set saidswitch to neutral position on completion of the cutting operation; andmeans paralleling said switch for maintaining said cut-ofl member inoperation until the 13 return stroke following the completion of thecutting operation.

10. An ice cube dispenser comprising means for freezing a column 'offluid; means for moving said frozen column in one direction; and acutof! member for cutting oi! sections of said column as it moves insaid one direction; said cut-oil member being mounted for transversemovement with respect to said column and having a stroke in a cuttingdirection and a return stroke; said means for moving said column beinginoperative during substantially all of the movement of said cut-oilmember and being placed in operative condition on completion of thereturn stroke of said cut-oi! member, said means for moving said frozencolumn being controlled by electrically operated means; a circuitbreaking member for said controlling means in the path of movement ofsaid frozen column to circuit breaking position on movement of saidcolumn for a predetermined distance; and manually operated switch meansfor initiating the operation of said column moving means; said switchhaving a plurality of stepped positions predetermining different membersof cutting operations; and a connection between said cut-off member andsaid switch to reset said switch step by step to neutral position,

the number of steps being determined by the ing a tube, means forfreezing a column of fluid in said tube and means for moving said frozencolumn toward and out of one end of said tube; said last mentioned meanscomprising a source of fluid under pressure connected to the oppositeend of the tube, a source of heat for said tube and a valve forcontrolling the connection between said source of fluid under pressureand said tube; a member for simultaneously actuating said valve and saidheat source to cause said tube to be heated and the fluid under pressureto flow into said tube; and a cut-off member for cutting of! sections ofsaid column as it moves out of said tube.

12. An ice cube freezer and dispenser comprising a tube, means forfreezing a column of fluid in said tube and means for moving said frozencolumn toward and out of one end of said tube; said last mentioned meanscomprising a source of fluid under pressure connected to the oppositeend of the tube; a transformer, said tube being metallic and inserted inthe secondary circuit of said transformer and an electrically operatedvalve for controlling the connection between said source of fluid underpressure and said tube; a source of electrical energy; a switch memberfor simultaneously actuating said valve to admit water under pressure tosaid tube and energizing said transformer to heat the tube; and acut-off member for cutting oil. sections of said column as it moves outof said tube.

13. An ice cube freezer and dispenser comprising a tube, means forfreezing a column of fluid in said tube and means for moving said frozencolumn toward and out of one end of said tube; said last mentioned meanscomprising a source of fluid under pressure connected to the oppositeend of the tube, a source of heat for said tube and a valve forcontrolling the connection between said source of fluid under pressureand said tube; a member for simultaneously actuating said valve and saidheat source to cause said tube to be heated and the fluid under pressureto flow into said tube; and a cut-ofl member for cutting off sections ofsaid column as it moves out of said tube; said cut-off member comprisinga transformer; a wire connected in the secondary circuit of saidtransformer and an electrically electrical energy to heat said wire andmove the same; said circuit making member being moved by said frozencolumn to circuit making position on movement of said column for apredetermined distance.

14. An ice cube freezer and dispenser comprising a tube, means forfreezing a column of fluid in said tube and means for moving said frozencolumn toward and out of one end of said tube; said last mentioned meanscomprising a source of fluid under pressure connected to the oppositeend of the tube, a source of heat for said tube and a valve forcontrollingthe connection between said source of fluid under pressureand said tube; a member for simultaneously actuating said valve and saidheat source to cause said tube to be heated and the fluid under pressureto flow into said tube; and a cut-off member for cutting off sections ofsaid column as it moves out of said tube; said cut-ofi' membercomprising a transformer; a wire connected in the secondary circuit ofsaid transformer and an electrically operated member for moving saidwire transversely with respect to said column adjacent the end of thetube from which thecolumn emerges; a source of electrical energy; acircuit making member for connecting said transformer and electricallyoperated member to said source of electrical energy to heat said wireand move the same; said circuit making member being moved by said frozencolumn to circuit making position on movement of said column for apredetermined distance; said electrically operated member moving saidwire in a cutting direction and, on completion of said cutting movement,returning said wire to initial position; and means for maintaining saidcircuit making member closed until completion of said return movement.

15. An ice cube freezer and dispenser comprising a tube, means forfreezing a column of fluid in said tube and means for moving said frozencolumn toward and out of one end of said tube; said last mentioned meanscomprising a source of fluid under pressure connected to the oppositeend of the tube, a source of heat for said tube and a valve forcontrolling the connection between said source of fluid under pressureand said tube; a member for simultaneously actuating said valve and saidheat source to cause said tube to be heated and the fluid under pressureto flow into said tube; and a cut-off member for cutting ofl' sectionsof said column as it moves out of said tube; said cut-off membercomprising a transformer; a wire connected in the secondary circuit ofsaid transformer and an electric reversing motor and a drivingconnection between said motor and said wire for moving said wiretransversely with respect to said column adjacent the end of the tubefrom which the column emerges; a source of electrical energy; a circuitmaking member for connecting said transformer and motor to said sourceof electrical energy to heat said wire and move the same; said circuitmaking member being moved by said frozen column to circuit makingposition on movement of said column for a predetermined distance.

16. An ice cube freezer and dispenser comprising a tube, means forfreezing a column of fluid in said tube and means for moving said frozencolumn toward and out of one end of said tube; said last mentioned meanscomprising a source oi fluid under pressure connected to the Oppositeend of the tube, a source of heat for said tube and a valve forcontrolling the connection between said source of fluid under pressureand said tube; a member for simultaneously actuating said valve and saidheat source to cause said tube to be heated and the fluid under pressureto flow into said tube; and a cut-oil. member for cutting oil sectionsoi said column as it moves out of said tube; said cut-ofl. membercomprising a transformer; a wire connected in the secondary circuit ofsaid transformer and an electric reversing motor and a drivingconnection between said motor and said wire for moving said wiretransversely with respect to said column adjacent the end of the tubefrom which the column emerges; a source of electrical energy; a circuitmaking member for connecting said transformer and motor to said sourceof electrical energy to heat said wire and move the same; said circuitmaking member being moved by said frozen column to circuit makingposition on movement of said column for a predetermined distance; saidmotor moving said wire in a cutting direction; a reversing switch forsaid motor; means for actuating said reversing switch to reversesaidmotor and return said wire to initial position on completion of thecutting stroke.

17. An ice cube freezer and dispenser comprising a tube, means forfreezing a column of fluid in said tube and means for moving said frozencolumn toward and out of one end of said tube; said last mentioned meanscomprising a source of fluid under pressure connected to the oppositeend of the tube, a source of heat for said tube and. a valve forcontrolling the connection between said source of fluid under pressureand said tube; a member for simultaneously actuating said valve and saidheat source to cause said tube to be heated and the fluid under pressureto flow into said tube; and'a cut-oil member for cutting of! s ctions ofsaid column as it moves out of said tube; said cut-oi! member comprisinga transformer; a wire connected in the secondary circuit of saidtransformer and an electric reversing motor and a driving connectionbetween said motor and said wire for moving said wire transversely withrespect to said column adjacent the end of the tube from which thecolumn emerges; a source of electrical energy; a circuit making memberfor connecting said transformer and motor to said source of electricalenergy to heat said wire and move the same; said circuit making memberbeing moved by said frozen column to circuit making position on movementof said column for a predetermined distance; said motor moving said wirein a cutting direction; a reversing switch for said motor: for actuatingsaid reversing switch to said motor and return said wire to initialposition on completion of the cutting ltrokeflnd mean for maintainingsaid circuit making manber 'closed until completion of said returnmoremen i i being perative stanti lly all of the movement of saidflit-08 member and being placed in operative conditim on completion ofthe return stroke of said cut-oil member; said cut-oi! member beingcontrolled by electrically operated means; a circuit member for saidcut-oil member-in the path of movement or said frozen column, saidcircuit making member being moved by said frozen column to circuitmaking position on movement of said column for a predetermined distance.

19. An ice cube dispenser comprising means for freezing a column offluid; means for moving said frozen column in one direction; and acut-oi! member for cutting 01! sections of said column as it moves insaid one direction; said cut-oi! member being mounted for transversemovement with respect to said column and having a stroke in a cuttingdirection and a return stroke; said means for moving said column beininoperative during substantially all of the movement of said cut-offmember and being placed in operative condition on completion ofthe-return stroke of said cutoil' member, said means for moving saidfroaen column being controlled by electrically perated means; a circuitbreaking member for said controlling means in the path of movement ofsaid frozen column; said froze column moving said member to circuitbreaking position on movement 01' said column for a predetermineddistance.

DONALD I. BORN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

